The Mauch Chunk Opera House has announced two shows for Friday and Saturday. Tickets for both shows are now available for purchase on the Opera House website, www.mcohjt.com, by visiting SoundCheck Records in downtown Jim Thorpe, or by calling 570-325-4009.

Slambovian Christmas

A Very Slambovian Christmas will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday.

Called everything from “hillbilly-Pink Floyd” to “folk-pop” to “surreal Americana,” New York’s Slambovian Circus of Dreams consider their job to see that their audiences celebrate Christmas in a fun and genuine way, and “A Very Slambovian Christmas” is evidence of that lofty goal very well-achieved.

Their melodic avant-folk conjures with an exotic instrumental arsenal and palette of styles ranging from dusty Americana ballads to huge Pink Floydesque cinematic anthems.

Formed in Sleepy Hollow, New York, over a decade ago, they pioneered the alt-folk circuit, staying on the fringes of the music industry. Winning support from indie radio and press since their inception, fans fueled their career from the ground up to an international status.

Having headlined major music festivals and venues across the U.S., Canada and the U.K., this band has a devoted cult following.

Lead singer-songwriter Joziah Longo is joined by Sharkey McEwen (guitar, mandolin), Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, etc.), Bob Torsello (bass), and Felipe Torres (drums, percussion).

Christmas Folk Tale

A Mauch Chunk Christmas Folk Tale will take place on Saturday.

This Christmas production will be performed at the Opera House in Jim Thorpe as a benefit for the “Peaceful Nights Foundation” serving people and families in need in our community. Doors for the event open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7.

Join the 40 Story Radio Tower players, Free Range Folk, and others for an all-new folk story extravaganza in this completely original story by playwright Joe Hiatt.

Miss Marilynn Hoardsital is the opposite of Scrooge in that she loves to spend money — on herself. She doesn’t like guests in general and one in particular.

So far she has evaded the one visitor she never wants to meet: Death.

Now, on Christmas Eve, she is visited by the greatest outcast of all the county, a woodland witch, an ogre, a fairy — all who try their hardest to give her their most precious present in hopes they can change her before Death’s inevitable arrival.

But it’s all to no avail, as each gift goes spectacularly wrong.

Finally, when their most precious gift, a small child, is lost, Marilynn has a chance at redemption. But now Death stands at her door.

Carols and songs, both original and classic, thread this fun and funny story together into our warmest holiday yet.